Halo | 18+

chapter fifty three

- AURELIA JONES -

Without knowing the dangers or extremities of the outside, we all huddled one by one by the windows, peering outside to see if there was any damage.

Aside from the window shutters being blown off the hinges and hanging on by a thread, the sun was peeking over the hills.

It had been a very long night. Everyone was cranky and exhausted; not to mention the brawl between Rez and Shoju earlier in the night.

Rez still wasn't talking to Shoju, and the tension was high. Even Lyza could sense it, she wasn't her usual, bubbly, question-asking self.

I glanced at the basement door, every now and then feeling like it was gonna open and swallow me whole.

I'd calmed down since my breakdown, but something wasn't right in my stomach. It was aching and sore, like I'm waiting for something to happen. Which isn't a nice feeling considering the circumstances we're living in.

Early morning frost laced the grass, indicating it was fresh. No one had slept, no one had spoken about the recent events, but I don't think anyone wanted too. Angel and Rez talked amongst themselves in their room, Ollie entertained Lyza.

Shoju kept his back straight with a glare out the window.

My heart fluttered every time I looked at him.

"Oh my God- is that..." Shoju's voice trailed off. "What? What is it?" I asked.

"Is that the fucking chicken?" He said, racing to the front door. "Chicken?" Lyza popped up, standing on her tip-toes to peer out the window next to me.

Shoju's tall body came into view as he ran outside, scooping the fluttering chicken up in one swoop before heading back inside. He kicked the door closed with his foot and headed to the bathroom.

The door slammed quickly, silence filled the air. "Problem solved." He sent me a half-smile, "Chicken's back." He said to Lyza.

Her eyes lit up, "Do you want to tell your friends?" He asked. I sighed, getting off the couch.

Knocking on Angel's door, she mumbled a quiet 'come in' before I turned the knob. She wiped her eyes quickly, turning to me with a smile, "Uh- Shoju caught the chicken. It's back in the bathroom." I shrugged.

Rez's face remained the same, "Just thought you should know."

As I went to leave, Angel called after me, "I'm coming with you." She sniffled, taking my hand and pulling me out of there. Without another word, she pushed me into my room, sitting on the bed.

Before I could say anything, she burst into tears and fell into my arms, "Why doesn't he love me." She sobbed.

My heart cracked, "Oh Angel." I whispered, rubbing her back soothingly, "He told me that I remind him to much of Ariel, which- I understand but-" She hiccuped, "He said it's too hard to be with me and not see her face."

I wanted to cry, seeing my best friend like this. Seeing her broken and in a pile on the floor. It's hard, I see Ariel every time I look at her, but she's not Ariel, she's Angel. Her own beautiful, independent person.